Missing soldiers' fate still unknown

Missing soldiers' fate still unknown

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Three privates of Infantry
Battalion 731 are still missing after they attempted to disperse
rioters attacking Allang Asaude village in West Seram
subdistrict, Central Maluku regency, at dawn last Saturday.

Pattimura Military Commander Brig. Gen. Mustopo admitted here
on Tuesday that his soldiers were still searching for the three
missing privates without taking any repressive action so as not
to spark new violence in the region.

Mustopo called on the people in the regency to report to the
military command if they knew the whereabouts of the three
soldiers. He said the military were able to identify the
attackers from specific characteristics of the dead body of one
of the rioters.

He also asked those responsible for the soldiers'
disappearance to deliver them dead or alive.

Pvt. Imanuel Huluk and one rioter were killed, while one
villager was injured and at least 20 houses were burned down
during a clash in Allang Asaude village on August 4, 2001.

Meanwhile, Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said that the
provincial administration, in cooperation with the military
command, had brought security in the area under control. (49)